Cairo ⇄ Luxor
The full sweep of the Nile aboard a traditional dahabiya under tow — from the Pyramids of Giza through Middle Egypt's hidden monuments to the temple cities of Thebes.
- Duration
- 12 Nights · 13 Days
- Route
- Cairo → Luxor
- Embark
- Cairo
- Disembark
- Luxor
- Vessel
- Dahabiya under tow
- Dining
- Daily buffet · sunset tea
- Duration
- 12 Nights · 13 Days
- Route
- Luxor → Cairo
- Embark
- Luxor
- Disembark
- Cairo
- Vessel
- Dahabiya under tow
- Dining
- Daily buffet · sunset tea
Route Overview
Upstream Through Egypt
Experience the timeless beauty of the Nile aboard a traditional dahabiya, elegantly towed by a support tugboat for long-distance navigation. Sailing southbound against the current, the days are unhurried — the point of this slow, authentic river journey.
Downstream to the Delta
Sailing northbound from Luxor to Cairo with the Nile current, this direction runs roughly 15–20% faster than the southbound route — beginning amid the grandeur of Thebes and ending at the Pyramids of Giza.
Available Routes
The same temples and experiences, with the order tailored to your arrival city. Select a direction and the day-by-day below will follow.
Highlights
- Giza Pyramids
- Fayoum Pyramids
- Tell el-Amarna
- Abydos
- Dendera
- Karnak
Day by Day
Your journey, unhurried
Showing Cairo → Luxor
-
Day 1
Arrival in Cairo & Embarkation
- Cairo
Arrive in Cairo and step aboard at the start of the river.
- On arrival Transfer to your dahabiya for embarkation.
- Evening Welcome dinner on board.
- Overnight Cairo.
-
Day 2
Cairo Sightseeing
- Giza Pyramids
- Egyptian Museum
The Pyramids of Giza and the treasures of the Egyptian Museum.
- Day Visit the legendary Pyramids of Giza and the renowned Egyptian Museum.
- Meals All meals on board, including the daily sunset tea with snacks.
- Overnight Cairo.
-
Day 3
Sail from Cairo to Beni Suef
- Beni Suef
The first long sail south through Middle Egypt.
- Sailing Cairo to Beni Suef — approx. 120 km · 16–18 hrs against the current, through the fertile landscapes of Middle Egypt.
- Overnight Beni Suef.
-
Day 4
Fayoum Excursion
- Hawara Pyramid
- Meidum Pyramid
An excursion to two of Egypt's earliest pyramids.
- Excursion The ancient pyramids of Hawara and Meidum.
- Evening Sunset tea and dinner on board.
- Overnight Beni Suef.
-
Day 5
Sail to Minya — Tuna el-Gebel & Ashmunein
- Tuna el-Gebel
- Ashmunein
South to Minya, with two Middle-Egypt sites.
- Sailing On to Minya — approx. 145 km · 19–21 hrs against the current.
- Visit Tuna el-Gebel and Ashmunein.
- Overnight Minya.
-
Day 6
Tell el-Amarna & Beni Hassan
- Tell el-Amarna
- Beni Hassan
The painted tombs of Middle Egypt.
- Morning Tell el-Amarna — the Northern Tombs and the Tomb of Ahmose (EA3).
- Afternoon The impressive rock-cut tombs of Beni Hassan.
- Overnight Minya.
-
Day 7
Sail to Asyut
- Asyut
A full sailing day toward Asyut.
- Sailing On to Asyut — approx. 125 km · 17–18 hrs against the current, watching Middle Egypt drift by from the sundeck.
- Overnight Asyut.
-
Day 8
Sail to Sohag & Abydos
- Abydos
- Temple of Seti I
South to Sohag, with the sacred temple of Abydos.
- Sailing On to Sohag — approx. 100 km · 14–15 hrs against the current.
- Excursion The magnificent Temple of Abydos, dedicated to Osiris.
- Overnight Sohag.
-
Day 9
Sail to Qena
- Qena
A leisurely sailing day toward Qena.
- Sailing On to Qena — approx. 160 km · 21–23 hrs against the current, panoramic Nile scenery from the sundeck.
- Overnight Qena.
-
Day 10
Dendera Temple & Sail to Luxor
- Dendera Temple
The Temple of Dendara, then on to Thebes.
- Morning Visit the beautifully preserved Temple of Dendara, dedicated to Hathor.
- Sailing On to Luxor — approx. 65 km · 9–10 hrs against the current.
- Overnight Luxor.
-
Day 11
Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut
- Valley of the Kings
- Temple of Hatshepsut
The West Bank of ancient Thebes.
- Day The Valley of the Kings and the spectacular mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari.
- Overnight Luxor.
-
Day 12
Karnak & Luxor Temples — Disembarkation
- Karnak Temple
- Luxor Temple
The grand temples of the East Bank, then farewell.
- Day The monumental Karnak Temple complex and the elegant Luxor Temple.
- Evening Farewell dinner on board.
- Overnight Luxor.
-
Day 13
Departure
- Luxor
Disembarkation.
- Morning Transfer to the airport for your onward international flight.
-
Day 1
Arrival in Luxor & Embarkation
- Luxor
Arrive in Luxor and step aboard amid ancient Thebes.
- On arrival Transfer to your dahabiya for embarkation.
- Evening Welcome dinner on board.
- Overnight Luxor.
-
Day 2
Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut
- Valley of the Kings
- Temple of Hatshepsut
The West Bank necropolis of Thebes.
- Day The Valley of the Kings and the spectacular mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut.
- Meals All meals on board, including sunset tea.
- Overnight Luxor.
-
Day 3
Karnak & Luxor Temples — Sail to Qena
- Karnak Temple
- Luxor Temple
The great temples of Thebes, then the journey north begins.
- Morning The monumental Karnak Temple complex and Luxor Temple.
- Sailing North to Qena — approx. 65 km · 7–8 hrs with the current.
- Overnight Qena.
-
Day 4
Dendera Temple — Sail toward Sohag
- Dendera Temple
The Temple of Hathor, then onward north.
- Morning Visit the beautifully preserved Temple of Dendara.
- Sailing Toward Sohag — approx. 160 km · 17–19 hrs with the current.
- Overnight Sohag.
-
Day 5
Abydos — Sail to Asyut
- Abydos
- Temple of Seti I
The sacred city of Osiris, then sailing on.
- Excursion The magnificent Temple of Abydos.
- Sailing Toward Asyut — approx. 100 km · 11–12 hrs with the current.
- Overnight Asyut.
-
Day 6
Sail to Minya
- Minya
A full, leisurely day sailing north.
- Sailing North through Middle Egypt to Minya — approx. 125 km · 14–15 hrs with the current.
- Overnight Minya.
-
Day 7
Tell el-Amarna & Beni Hassan
- Tell el-Amarna
- Beni Hassan
The painted tombs of Middle Egypt.
- Morning Tell el-Amarna — the Northern Tombs and the Tomb of Ahmose (EA3).
- Afternoon The tombs of Beni Hassan.
- Overnight Minya.
-
Day 8
Tuna el-Gebel & Ashmunein — Sail to Beni Suef
- Tuna el-Gebel
- Ashmunein
Two more Middle-Egypt sites, then north.
- Visit Tuna el-Gebel and Ashmunein.
- Sailing Toward Beni Suef — approx. 145 km · 16–17 hrs with the current.
- Overnight Beni Suef.
-
Day 9
Fayoum Excursion
- Hawara Pyramid
- Meidum Pyramid
Egypt's earliest pyramids.
- Excursion The ancient pyramids of Hawara and Meidum.
- Evening Sunset tea and dinner on board.
- Overnight Beni Suef.
-
Day 10
Sail from Beni Suef to Cairo
- Cairo
The final sail to the capital.
- Sailing North to Cairo — approx. 120 km · 13–15 hrs with the current, through the fertile landscapes of Middle Egypt.
- Overnight Cairo.
-
Day 11
Cairo Sightseeing
- Giza Pyramids
- Egyptian Museum
The Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum.
- Day Visit the Pyramids of Giza and the renowned Egyptian Museum.
- Meals All meals on board, including sunset tea.
- Overnight Cairo.
-
Day 12
Old Cairo & Disembarkation Preparations
- Old Cairo
- Khan el-Khalili
Optional exploration of historic Cairo.
- Optional Old Cairo and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, or leisure on board.
- Evening Farewell dinner on board.
- Overnight Cairo.
-
Day 13
Departure
- Cairo
Disembarkation.
- Morning Transfer to the airport for your onward international flight.
Good to Know
Travel Insight
- This is a traditional dahabiya towed by a support tugboat for the long Cairo passage — sailing times are far longer than conventional Nile cruisers, by design, for a slow and authentic journey.
- The route reaches Middle Egypt's rarely-visited monuments — Fayoum, Tell el-Amarna, and Beni Hassan — alongside the sacred temples of Abydos and Dendera and the great monuments of Thebes.
- This is a traditional dahabiya towed by a support tugboat for the long Cairo passage — sailing times are far longer than conventional Nile cruisers, by design, for a slow and authentic journey.
- The route reaches Middle Egypt's rarely-visited monuments — Fayoum, Tell el-Amarna, and Beni Hassan — alongside the sacred temples of Abydos and Dendera and the great monuments of Thebes.
Tips for Your Trip
- This itinerary involves significant walking at archaeological sites, often on uneven ground.
- Comfortable shoes, sun protection, and water are essential for daily excursions.
- The sailing schedule and overnight mooring locations are subject to change based on river and lock conditions.
Travel Notes
This itinerary provides a general framework; the order of visits on specific days may be arranged by your guide to ensure the best possible experience based on conditions.
Questions
Why are the sailing times so long? +
This is a traditional dahabiya towed by a support tugboat for the long Cairo–Luxor passage. Sailing times are far longer than conventional Nile cruisers — by design. The reward is the slow, authentic river and access to Middle Egypt's rarely-visited monuments.
Which direction is faster? +
Northbound (Luxor → Cairo) sails with the Nile current and is roughly 15–20% faster than the southbound Cairo → Luxor route. Both visit the same sites; we tailor the direction to your travel plans.
What makes this itinerary special? +
Very few vessels sail the full Cairo–Luxor reach. You see Giza and the Fayoum pyramids, the painted tombs of Tell el-Amarna and Beni Hassan, and the sacred temples of Abydos and Dendera — alongside the great monuments of Thebes.
All-Inclusive Charter
What's Included
Your charter rate is full-board — a complete luxury sailing experience, with no hidden fees.
Gourmet Dining
- Breakfast — extensive open buffet with hot & cold selections
- Lunch — open buffet with a live outdoor barbecue station
- Dinner — generous open buffet
- Daily sunset tea service on deck, with premium teas & snacks
Beverages, All Day
- 24-hour service: bottled mineral water, fresh juices (orange, lemonade, hibiscus), soft drinks & daily smoothies
- Specialty coffees — espresso, macchiato, American, Egyptian — and a premium tea selection
- Complimentary local premium beer & wine
No Hidden Fees
- All onboard meals & beverages included
- 14% VAT (Value Added Tax) included
- 12% service charges included
Crew gratuity is not included. It is customary for guests to contribute US $6 per person per night, handed to the dahabiya's manager and shared equally among the crew.
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Reserve this
journey
12 nights on the Nile, entirely private and tailored to your group. Tell us your dates and we'll do the rest.